Sizing a van around what you are moving
List the largest items with rough length, width and height, and give an estimate of total weight, because bulk and payload limit a van in different ways. Mention anything awkward, such as a wardrobe that cannot be dismantled or long timber. Describe loading at both ends, including stairs, lift access, distance from the kerb and whether anyone will help lift.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
Start with the load, then choose the van. A small van works well for boxes, tools and light collections; medium and long-wheelbase vans suit furniture, stock and trade equipment; and a Luton is the better choice for bulkier items on a house move. Subject to dates, driver details and availability, the range includes the Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Transit SWB, VW Transporter Automatic, Ford Transit MWB and Ford Transit LWB. Make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are all confirmed at quote stage, so treat these vehicles as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Write Down Your Load Details First
Before you request a quote, spend a few minutes listing everything that needs to travel. A written inventory of boxed belongings helps you remember items stored in lofts, sheds and cupboards, and it gives the hire team accurate figures to work from. Note the number of boxes, the rooms they come from and roughly how full each one is. If you still have cartons from a previous move, count those too. Record the dimensions and approximate weight of any larger pieces, such as wardrobes or bookcases, and note whether any item comes apart. Keep the list somewhere you can update it, because oddments almost always surface once packing begins. When you contact the team, you can share the finished inventory, the hire dates, and the access arrangements at each address.
Set a Realistic Packing Timeline
Once your inventory is drafted, think about how long packing will realistically take and build it into your schedule. If your hire window covers a single day, work backwards from the collection time and note how many hours remain for filling cartons, taping them shut and carrying them to the door. People who pack the night before often underestimate the contents of kitchens and garages, so consider starting earlier if those rooms are heavily used. Decide which items can be boxed in advance and which must stay out until the morning, such as work tools or documents. If friends are helping, agree their arrival times in writing. Any date adjustments are easier to make before the booking is confirmed than afterwards, so flag concerns early.
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Things to check before booking
Before the hire is confirmed, go over the key points: whether the vehicle is available, the driver requirements, mileage, insurance, the delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for. Make sure payload, loading height, tail-lift needs, driver details, deposits and insurance excess are confirmed before you settle on a van size. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, a rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the passengers or load you expect and any special requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.